China-Europe freight train, an artery for growth between Xi'an and Almaty

This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2025 shows a sign of the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

XI'AN/ALMATY, July 2 (Xinhua) -- In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 25, 2026 shows a staff member operating a crane to handle containers of the China-Europe freight train at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Xinhua)

A worker carries cargo boxes at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

A staff member operates a crane to handle a container of the China-Europe freight train at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 10, 2026 shows a view of the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows staff members operating cranes to unload containers at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a view of the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A staff member operates a forklift to load cargo at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Staff members work at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Staff members review inbound and outbound cargo information at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a staff member operating a crane to unload containers at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Containers aboard a China-Europe freight trains arrive at Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua)

A crane operator receives an interview at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

A drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a staff member inspecting BYD new energy vehicles to be exported at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Customers view agricultural products from Kazakhstan at a store in the Xi'an Chanba International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)